Local Woman To Appear On 'Jeopardy'

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Cori Wilhelm of Parishville grew up playing trivia games and watching contestants win and lose on the television game show Jeopardy.

Now she is living the experience first-hand.

The 31 year old SUNY Canton assistant librarian passed an online qualification test and contestant audition to appear in a taping of the quiz show in late August.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I kind of approached it, as nervous as I was, I thought, 'Just have fun. You'll never get to do this again,'" said Wilhelm.

Wilhelm is bound not to divulge how she did until the show airs, but she says she was nervous during the roughly half hour of answering trivia questions in a variety of categories amid bright studio lights, a live audience and host Alex Trebek.

"It's really interesting also to see behind the scenes how the show works and I was able to actually watch four shows tape,"
she said.

She says she spent more than 50 hours reading up on trivia-related and preparing for possible categories, helping to keep her mind sharp for the competition.

"I certainly was pleased with how I did. I was a little worried - what if I ended up in the negatives. That didn't happen. It was overall a really positive experience," she said.

Wilhelm says she has been overwhelmed by the response from well-wishers and wouldn't rule out trying out for another Jeopardy show at some point in the future.

She plans to watch her Jeopardy appearance at a small get together with family and friends.